In Brief
Britannia Industries challenged whether edible oil, vanaspati, and sugar fall under 'agricultural produce' in the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing Act, 1963, and whether the Bombay Agricultural Market Committee could levy fees on sugar purchased outside its jurisdiction. The Supreme Court affirmed that all three products qualify as agricultural produce despite processing, as the Act contains no 'manufacture' requirement and the Legislature intended to include them. However, the Market Committee may levy fees only on sugar actually procured within its market area; Britannia must submit purchase records for verification to determine the true quantum subject to fees.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.